As the sole student on Will Carleton Academy’s cross country team, eleventh grader Gabe Gadwood makes it look easy. He finished 18th in the Division 4 cross country state meet and obtained his PR (personal record) with a 18:40.98 finishing time.
He worked hard this season and shaved off 1:40 seconds from his first race to the State Finals! He is setting a goal to clear a 17:30 race time next year. This takes a lot of perseverance and hard practice, but he is up for the challenge.
He practiced with the middle school runners often and is a role model to them. He demonstrates commitment and hard work and wants to show that even if you’re by yourself, you can still push yourself. His advice would be to “dig deep and find the heart and determination to challenge yourself to be the best you can.”
Cross country is not the only sport that Gabe participates in. He also plays soccer, basketball, golf and track and field.
Will Carleton Academy is small and this has benefitted him not only in athletics but also in the classroom. Gabe gets one-on-one attention from teachers, which allows him to excel at his own pace. The setting also allows students to get to know each other and he considers his school community an extension of his family.
Being a student-athlete has given him the ability to participate in many different sports and keeps him grounded. It proves that he can juggle numerous responsibilities at once including school work (has an accumulative 3.98 GPA), dual enrollment at Jackson College, student council and year-round athletics
He attributes his ability to excel and juggle numerous things to his mom. “I have a mom who can multi-task and do amazing things. If she can do it, why can’t I? She is an amazing support and watching her juggle everything makes me believe that I can do the same,” Gabe said.
He aspires to follow in the footsteps of his siblings who are college athletes. They give him the inspiration and the drive to continue forward.
Gabe Gadwood is a prime example of living out Will Carleton Academy’s mission of educating, enriching and enlightening students.